May hints at emergency service VAT Budget move

Prime Minister Theresa May has hinted that next week’s UK budget might contain a move to alleviate the impact of VAT liability on Scotland’s emergency services.

In response to a question at today’s PMQs from the SNP’s Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, May said: “We will look at this issue and report on it in due course. I am pleased to say that very constructive representations have been made by my Scottish colleagues on this particular issue.”

But the PM also hit back at the SNP’s position stating that the Scottish Government had “pressed ahead despite knowing that” the creation of unified, Scotland-wide emergency service authorities in 2013 would make the services liable for VAT payments.

The SNP’s Westminster Leader, Ian Blackford, also urged the prime minister to repay the £140 million the services had paid since their liability began.